During a recent staff meeting we discussed possible questions people might have while attending the 2008 Soaring to New Heights Conference. There are probably a million questions that we didn’t discuss or even think of but here is a listing of some of the most common:

I forgot my brochure – where are more located?
Conference brochures are available at the Conference Registration Desk.

I lost my name badge – where do I go for a new one?
You may get another name badge at the conference registration desk for $5.00.

I have lost my booklet of tickets for the conference events – what can I do?
You can re-purchase the tickets of your choice at conference registration. Friday luncheon tickets are $55, Saturday breakfast tickets are $40 and the closing event tickets are $85 for an adult and $25 for children 12 and under.

I am a volunteer where do I go?
Conference Headquarters and also the Conference Registration Desk, there will be a master list of all volunteers. The volunteer can ask and get directed to the appropriate area from there. They also will be given the name of who to report to.

I need to pick up my award – where do I go?
IAPD will be issuing out the 10 and 15-year board member plaques at conference headquarters. Community service awards have been mailed this year, so they are not at conference headquarters. Hours of operation for conference headquarters are: Thursday, 7:30am-6pm; Friday 7:00am-6pm and Saturday 8:30am-4pm.

Speakers: Where do I get my name badge and how can I get a parking pass?
Speaker badges are in the chair session packets, which are at Conference Hadquarters. The chairs will pick up the packets and present the speaker with their name badge prior to the session. If a speaker would like their badge prior to the day their session is scheduled, they may go to Conference Headquarters and request their badge and sign that they have received it. If a speaker has requested that parking expenses be reimbursed, the chair will present the speaker with a voucher at their session. This voucher is only valid at the host hotel (Hyatt Regency) and will need to be presented to the parking cashier or the valet attendant. If the speaker did not request reimbursement for their parking expenses within their agreement, they are on their own for parking charges.

I am a student who has volunteered and I would like reimbursement for my registration?
If a student completes their commitment of five hours and has pre-registered for the conference, they will receive reimbursement within 45 days of the conclusion of the conference.

Does the Thursday social have food?
No, the Thursday Evening Social offers a cash bar only. The Saturday Evening Social at the Field Museum will have plenty of food!!!

I need to make copies for my session, who pays for it and where should I go?
Copies can be made. Expenses for the copies made onsite will be the responsibility of who is requesting them. The Conference will reimburse copies made prior to the conference and submitted on an expense form. The conference will not reimburse for copies made onsite at the Hyatt.

Will there be transportation for the social and if so where and what times is it available?
For the closing event at the Field Museum, you must have a ticket to enter the facility. Tickets can still be purchased at Conference Registration. Shuttle service will be available beginning at 6:45 p.m. Delegates staying at the Hyatt Regency Chicago will load on to the shuttles from the Stetson Street entrance. Return service back to the hotel will begin at 9:00 p.m.

Where do I get my prize from the exhibit hall drawing?
Prizes are redeemed at the exhibitor registration area. Prizes can be redeemed only at the times the exhibit hall is open. Exhibit Hall Hours: Thursday, 2pm-6pm; Friday, 9am-11:30am and 1:30pm-5pm; Saturday 8:30am-11am.

If I win a prize in the exhibit hall, can I pick it up any day?
Winners must redeem their prize the day their name has been drawn. At the end of the day, any prizes that have not been redeemed will carry over. Prizes may only be redeemed when the exhibit hall is open. Exhibit Hall Hours: Thursday, 2pm-6pm; Friday, 9am-11:30am and 1:30pm-5pm; Saturday 8:30am-11am. You must redeem your prize the day your ticket has been drawn. On Thursday and Friday there will be no coffee served in the exhibit hall. There is a breakfast scheduled on Saturday from 8:30am-10am in the exhibit hall. Delegates who purchased a full package for the conference have a ticket within their booklet. For those who would like to purchase a ticket, one may do so at the conference registration for a fee of $40. This is a ticketed event.

Where is the conference next year?
The conference dates for 2009 are January 29-31, 2009 at the Hilton Chicago. Conference will be held at the Hilton Chicago in 2009, 2010 and 2011.

Where can I find out where my reserved table is for the luncheon?
The reservation desk will be opened on Thursday from 3pm-5:30 pm and also on Friday from 9am-10am. If you have pre-registered for a table, a time has been assigned for your agency to choose their table. If you haven’t pre-registered for one, you may do so on Friday from 9am-10am for a fee of $70.

If you can think of any other questions you might have please post a comment on the site and we’ll be sure to provide a quick response. As always, feel free to direct any questions to IPRA or IAPD staff while at Conference.